System and method for monitoring weight and nutrition

ABSTRACT

A method for providing weight and nutritional information involves input of subject data such as weight, body fat percentage, and expected activity levels. The method allows users to input an assessment of a subject, which can be used to generate a weight plan for the subject. The weight plan can include minimum weights for the subject, each of the minimum weights being associated with a time. The method can also be used to generate a nutrition plan based on the subject data entered. A subject can build the nutrition plan by responding to a series of food exchange item prompts.

PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/355,195, filed Jan. 31, 2003, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This applicationclaims priority to U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/391,587,filed Jun. 27, 2002, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to products and methodsuseful for monitoring body weight and nutrition, and more particularlyto methods and products that can be used over the Internet or throughsoftware to calculate and monitor body weight and nutrition, especiallyfor those in sports programs that require weight monitoring, such aswrestling.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Athletes, especially wrestlers, may lose weight very rapidly togain a competitive advantage. Athletes often use rapid weight reductionmethods in order to qualify for a certain weight classification. Forsome wrestlers, in particular, weight loss is excessive and oftenaccomplished by methods that lead to loss of lean body mass and totalbody water. There is evidence that this excessive and rapid weight lossis unhealthy, especially for high school wrestlers who have not yetcompleted their growth and development. Negative health consequencesinclude growth retardation, decreased academic and cognitiveperformance, and altered endocrine or hormonal function. Cycling of bodyweight may also decrease strength, power and endurance, diminishing awrestler's likelihood of success. Three tragic deaths in late 1997prompted the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to make aWrestling Weight Certification Program (WWCP) mandatory to foster a safecompetitive environment.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,387 to Summerell et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,954,640 to Szabo and U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,272, to Porumbescu describevarious nutritional methods and algorithms. Summerell's system can beaccessed through either an Internet or intranet format, or implementedin a stand-alone mode or a workstation or a PC. However, none of thesemethods provides a product or method that is easily employed by a userto determine how much weight a particular individual can be expected tolose or maintain without adverse affect to their body, and to build anutrition plan.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,901 to Karkanen discloses an integratedweight loss control method. Karkanen fails to disclose, however,monitoring a subject's weight to determine a maximum allowable weightloss over successive time periods, and building a nutrition plan toconform to the allowable weight loss values.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,197 to Mellinger discloses a weight lossmanagement system. Mellinger fails to disclose, however, monitoring asubject's weight to determine a maximum allowable weight loss oversuccessive time periods and building a nutrition plan to conform to theallowable weight loss values.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first embodiment, a method of monitoring weight,comprises providing a plurality of data entry options, the data entryoptions allowing entry of data for generating an assessment of asubject, wherein the menu of data entry options comprises an option forentry of an identification of the subject, an option for entry ofsubject gender, an option for entry of subject academic level, an optionfor entry of subject weight, and an option for entry of data describingsubject body fat percentage. The assessment data may be stored on acomputer-readable medium. A subject body fat percentage is determined,and a weight plan is generated based on the subject assessment data. Theweight plan is generated by calculating a plurality of minimum weightsfor the subject using a maximum allowable weight loss percentage for atime period, each of the minimum weights being associated with a timeperiod.

[0010] Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe set forth in the description which follows, and in part, will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of theinvention. The objects, features and advantages of the invention may berealized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinationparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system forproviding nutritional and weight information;

[0012]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate menu options for executing a method forproviding nutritional and weight information;

[0013] FIGS. 2C-2J illustrate various displays for executing the methodfor providing nutritional and weight information;

[0014]FIG. 3A illustrates a method for generating a nutrition plan;

[0015] FIGS. 3B-3K illustrate various displays for executing the methodfor generating a nutrition plan;

[0016]FIG. 4 illustrates a method for generating a weight plan;

[0017]FIG. 5 illustrates a method for determining a subject's bodycomposition in accordance with the method shown in FIG. 4; and

[0018]FIG. 6 illustrates a method for generating a weight plan inaccordance with the method shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In accordance with the embodiments discussed below, a system andmethod are disclosed for providing weight and nutrition information. Theinformation can describe, for example, a weight plan for a subject, asubject's compliance status with a weight plan, a nutrition plan for asubject, and other information regarding a subject's weight, health, ornutritional status. The system and method can be used, for example, todetermine how much weight a subject can lose while avoiding possibleadverse effects on their health. The nutrition plan can be used toensure that the subject follows the weight plan.

[0020] The system and method disclosed in this specification areparticularly suitable for young subjects who are still growing and maynot fully understand the harm that they may cause by losing or gainingtoo much weight. According to one embodiment, a user can determine asubject's minimum weight for a series of time periods, and a build adiet plan according to factors such as the user's initial body fatpercentage, height, weight, and perhaps also, age. The minimum weight ateach time period can be determined according to guidelines published bystate and national athletic organizations, such as the NationalCollegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

[0021] In one embodiment, the weight certification program of thepresent invention is a web-based application that is used to monitor theweight of certain classes of subjects. For example, collegiate andscholastic (e.g., high school) wrestlers are governed by specific weightguidelines, and the web-based application can be used to monitor theirweight and/or nutritional status.

[0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a web-based application of anembodiment of the present invention. The embodiment is a web-basedsystem 1000 for monitoring weight and for providing nutritionalinformation. The system 1000 can perform functions, such as, forexample, building a diet plan for a subject, and providing access tousers, who need not necessarily be the subject, to information regardingthe subject. The monitoring can be performed, for example, to ensurethat the subject complies with state, national, or other governing bodyguidelines.

[0023] The system 1000 comprises a server 1010 connected to a network1020. The server 1010 comprises one or more databases or objects 1030.The databases 1030 can store information relating to weight andnutritional standards, user interface programs, food exchange data, andprograms relating to remote access by users such as web browsers anduser interface programs.

[0024] The network 1020 connects the system 1000 to a plurality of useraccess ports 1050. The user access ports 1050 can be, for example, aremote computer, a laptop, a personal computer, a workstation or anyother processing device located at a site controlled by the user.Alternatively or in addition to the previous embodiment, a user accessport 1050 can be located at a site controlled by an owner of the system1000, and can also be owned by the system 1000 owner. Any number ofaccess ports 1050 can be coupled to the server 1010 on dedicated ornon-dedicated access lines.

[0025] The network 1020 can be, for example, the Internet, or any othernetwork that allows an exchange of information between a user and theserver 1010. In one embodiment, the network 1020 is a dedicated dial-upor local area network (LAN) network. The network 1020 may includehardware such as is known in the art, including an information line, andone or more routers. The information line can be, for example, atelephone line or hardware supporting access via a satellitecommunication apparatus. The router can be, for example, the Internetbackbone.

[0026] The server 1010 can be programmed to run and/or access one ormore programs in accordance with the methods discussed in thisspecification. In one embodiment, the server 1010 is programmed toexecute a method for monitoring a subject's weight. The subject can bethe user operating at a user access port 1050, or the subject can be athird party whose weight or other data is entered by the user. Forexample, the user can be the parent and/or coach of an athlete (subject)participating in organized sports, or a designated assessor. The server1010 can also be programmed to execute a method for developing anutritional plan for a subject, as discussed below.

[0027] The server 1010 can include a user interface 1060, which may beused to present menus, prompt screens, data displays, and otherinformation to a user at a user access port 1050. The various promptsand screens presented to users by the interface 1060 are discussed indetail below. The user interface 1060 can comprise one or more programs,databases or objects, allowing input by a user and/or transmission ofinformation to the user.

[0028] The user access ports 1050 can include any processing devicescapable of running a network-interfacing program such as, for example, aweb browser. In a preferred embodiment, the user access port 1050 is apersonal computer (PC) programmed with software for communicating withthe server 1010. The software can include executable instructions forproviding data such as, for example, password and login information foraccess to the server 1010, formatting information for providing data tothe server 1010 in the proper format, or instructions for constructing,for example, prepared forms which may be completed at the user accessport 1050 and subsequently forwarded to the server 1010. Alternatively,the server 1010 can include a database of forms that may be completed bya user while the user is in communication with the server 1010 (e.g.,while the user is on line). In addition, the user access ports 1050 canhave one or more peripherals attached thereto. The user access port 1050may also be a PC programmed with software to save data generated forprepared forms on computer-readable media, such as floppy disks andCD-ROMs.

[0029]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a website arrangement for providing aweight certification service, weight plans, nutritional information, anddiet plans to users. The website arrangement can be used to provideweight certification and compliance information, nutritional plans, andweight loss plans concerning one or more subject. In some cases, a userof the website will be a subject, and in other cases the user will be athird party. For example, as in the case of scholastic wrestlers, thesubject wrestler will usually have access only to selected portions ofthe website (i.e., the subject is a user), and a third party user suchas a coach or parent may have access to that subject's data and to otherinformation.

[0030] The website discussed below is discussed with reference to acollegiate or scholastic wrestler. However, the general principlesdiscussed below maybe applicable to any number of sports, particularlythose in which weight and/or nutrition are relevant factors forqualification for the sport. In addition, many aspects of the websitecan be used by users who are simply interested in obtaining a nutritionand/or weight loss plan, and who may not be interested in participatingin a sport. The website arrangement can be programmed on and executed bythe server 1010 illustrated in FIG. 1, or by other server arrangements.The website arrangement can also be in the form of an executable programstored on a digital medium readable by, for example, a microcomputer orpersonal computer.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2A, a WEIGHT CERTIFICATION PAGE provides a menuoption for a COLLEGIATE menu and a SCHOLASTIC menu. The COLLEGIATEoption may be used to obtain information regarding athletes governed bycollegiate sports standards, such as those provided by the NCAA and theNAIA. The SCHOLASTIC menu option can be used to obtain weightinformation regarding athletes governed by one or more of the variousstate and local governing bodies. The options provided under theCOLLEGIATE menu option can be tailored to conform to the appropriategoverning body. At the present time, NCAA weight guidelines are used bycollegiate governing bodies. The options provided under the SCHOLASTICmenu option can also be tailored to conform to a particular governingbody's requirements. At the present time, NCAA weight requirements areacceptable by most state and local collegiate governing bodies. Asubject who is not governed by any particular governing body can select,for example, either the COLLEGIATE or the SCHOLASTIC menu. In general,the weight loss and nutrition guideline information provided under bothoptions is advantageous to users regardless of their participation insport.

[0032] The COLLEGIATE menu is illustrated in FIG. 2A. The SCHOLASTICmenu is illustrated in FIG. 2B. If the user is neither a collegiate nora scholastic sport participant, the user may elect to simply access, forexample, the collegiate mode. In an alternative embodiment, thecollegiate/scholastic option may be omitted and access can be provideddirectly to the menu options disclosed under the COLLEGIATE andSCHOLASTIC menu options, where applicable. Access to the various menusmay be provided according to the user's identity. For example, in astate with mandatory weight certification programs, entry of datathrough menu options may be restricted to persons such as coaches, orassessors designated by the relevant governing body or bodies.

[0033] The INSTRUCTIONS menu option can be selected to obtain specificinformation for using each of the menu options in the website, or forother information relevant to the site. The INSTRUCTIONS menu caninclude, for example, a description of skin fold measurements.

[0034] The ENTERING DATA menu option is provided to allow a user toinput data regarding a subject. The subject may, in effect, be the user,who may enter his or her own data. The ASSESSMENTS SECTION I optionprovides access to an NCAA Wrestling Weight Certification Section Iform, which is illustrated as FIG. 2C. The Section I form is used toprovide an initial assessment of a wrestler at the date of the initialassessment, or “alpha” date. As shown in FIG. 2C, the ASSESSMENTSSECTION I menu option generates various weight data for the subjectwrestler. The weight data generated includes a lowest allowableweight-one (LAW 1), body density (BD), percentage of body fat (%BD), fatweight (FW), free fat weight (FFW), lowest allowable weight-two (LAW 2),and a lowest minimum wrestling weight (MWW). The NCAA provides theWeight Certification Section I form and the calculations used todetermine the above data.

[0035] After completing the NCAA Wrestling Weight Certification SectionI form, the data may be saved, and the form can be printed. The subjectwrestler's information is thereby saved in the system.

[0036] The ASSESSMENTS SECTION II menu option provides a user access toan NCAA Wrestling Weight Certification Section II form, which isillustrated as FIG. 2D. The form is generally completed before awrestler's first competition. The Section II form is used to ensure thatthe subject wrestler conforms to NCAA body fat percentage requirements.The FINAL CERTIFICATION SECTION II option is used to verify wrestlerstatus.

[0037] The REPORTS option is used to generate reports for informationentered regarding one or more subjects. The SECTION I AND II REPORTSmenu options can be used to generate reports for all of the wrestlers ona particular coach's team, and may list all of the Section I and SectionII information, respectively. The SUMMARY REPORT menu option allows theuser to display and print a summary of different data concerning thosesubjects for which the user has access to. A Squad List Summary Reportis illustrated as FIG. 2E. The WEIGHT LOSS PLAN menu option provides aprintout of a weight loss regimen generated by the weight certificationwebsite. A sample weight loss plan is illustrated as FIG. 2F. Ingeneral, the WEIGHT LOSS PLAN describes a permissible maximum weightloss for the subject. Each date on the form includes a minimum weightthat the subject may have at that time. In the form shown in FIG. 2F,the minimum weights are calculated to the NCAA standard of a maximumloss of 1.5% of body weight in any one week period. The RECERTIFICATIONFORM menu option is used to generate a form to allow a wrestler toreturn to a previous weight class. The WRESTLER ACCESS menu optiongenerates a list of wrestlers, their alpha date, alpha weight (i.e.,weight at initial assessment), login ID, and login password. A samplewrestler access form is illustrated as FIG. 2G.

[0038] The STUDENT ATHLETES menu option is used to generate a weightloss plan for a subject and to generate a nutritional plan for thesubject. Developing a weight loss plan and a nutritional plan arediscussed below with reference to the SCHOLASTIC menu option. Thesubject who is a student athlete will generally obtain an I) and apassword from his coach.

[0039] The coach references each subject's ID and password from theWRESTLER ACCESS menu, which lists all of his team member IDs andpasswords.

[0040] The EDUCATION option can be used to access nutritionalinformation and access to, for example, an educational video. Theeducational video may be provided to advise coaches, wrestlers, parents,or other athletes and subjects on basic nutritional principles,hydration, and weight management. The video can include, for example, areview of basic nutritional guidelines, a review of hydrationguidelines, recommendations for weight management, and specialnutritional topics for certain classes of subjects. For wrestlers, thatcould include topics such as, for example, pre-competition meals, foodand beverage intake during competition, post-competition nutritionalguidelines, healthy choices from the school cafeteria, etc. A HELPoption may also be provided to provide information on use of the siteand for other information.

[0041] The SCHOLASTIC menu option is illustrated in FIG. 2B. TheINSTRUCTION, EDUCATIONAL, and HELP menu options can contain informationsimilar to the menu options under the COLLEGIATE menu shown in FIG. 2A,and may be tailored to the scholastic side of the website.

[0042] The COACHES menu option is provided to allow coaches to enterdata regarding subject wrestlers, and to access subject data. TheINITIAL ASSESSMENT menu option is used to generate an NWCA WrestlingWeight Certification form. A sample NWCA Wrestling Weight Certificationform is illustrated as FIG. 2H. The NWCA form may use calculationssimilar to the NCAA form illustrated in FIG. 2C, with modifications toaccount for the different body composition requirements for state orlocal governing bodies. For example, according to the form shown in FIG.2H, the minimum allowable body fat percentage is 7%, as opposed to the5% value shown in the NCAA form. The system 1000 (FIG. 1) can accountfor national, local and state requirements, and can generate forms thatconform to the requirements.

[0043] The APPEAL option provides a list of subject wrestlers, andallows a user to select a subject, and to request an appeal of theinitial assessment for that wrestler. The ALPHA MASTER menu option isused to generate an NWCA Wrestling Weight Certification Alpha MasterReport. A sample NWCA Wrestling Weight Certification Alpha Master Reportis illustrated as FIG. 21. The WEIGHT LOSS PLAN menu option is used togenerate a weight loss schedule for a subject. The weight loss scheduleprovides a list of minimum weights that the subject can have atspecified dates, similar to the plan illustrated in FIG. 2F. A sampleplan is illustrated as FIG. 2J. The wrestler's actual weight for eachtime can be entered in the right column. The WRESTLER ACCESS menu optiongenerates a NWCA Wrestling Weight Certification Wrestler Access Report,which may have a format similar to the form shown in FIG. 2G.

[0044] The ASSESSORS menu option is used to allow a designated assessorto enter information in the system and to view information. The assessoris typically a person authorized by a governing body to monitor theweight status of one or more subjects. The assessor may also beauthorized to enter data and to generate reports. The INITIAL ASSESSMENToption, the APPEAL option, the ALPHA MASTER option, and the WEIGHT LOSSPLAN option may all have functions for assessors similar to the samefunctions under the COACH menus. In a state without a mandatory program,a subject's coach can usually perform one or more assessor tasks.

[0045] The STUDENT ATHLETES menu option provides a subject studentathlete access to his data, and generates a menu of food items that thesubject can consume while conforming to the weight loss plan. The VIEWASSESSMENT option allows the subject to view his initial assessment (seeFIG. 2H). The WEIGHT LOSS PLAN option allows the wrestler to view hisweight loss plan (see FIG. 2J). From the WEIGHT LOSS PLAN menu, thesubject can generate a nutritional plan that conforms to the plan.Generating a nutritional plan using the website arrangement is discussedbelow with reference to FIGS. 3A-3K

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a nutritionplan is generated for a subject. FIGS. 3A-3K illustrate one method forgenerating a nutrition plan for a subject. The method illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3K can be executed by accessing either the COLLEGIATE menuoption or the SCHOLASTIC menu option. The nutrition plan can be selectedto conform to the weight plan generated in the method described above,and with other factors. According to a preferred embodiment, anutritional plan based on the weight loss plan is generated by thesystem 1000. The nutritional plan allows subjects, and in particularwrestlers, to select from a wide variety of food products from a varietyof lists based upon, for example, their fat free weight (which may becalculated in the certification program), their resting metabolic rate,and their typical daily activity level. This information may be used tocalculate a number of “choices” each wrestler can select from each listof food items (vegetables, meats, etc). The nutritional plan can be adynamic dietary plan, which a user and/or subject can modify at anytime, as long as the nutrition plan requirements are satisfied. Whilethis invention is particularly adaptable to wrestlers, the same methodor a similar method can be employed by many types of subjects formonitoring their weight and/or nutrition.

[0047]FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a method for generating anutritional plan for a subject.

[0048] FIGS. 3B-3K illustrate various displays used in executing themethod.

[0049] In step 310, the user, who will typically be the subject, enterspersonal data such as age, height, and activity level (see steps 1-3 inFIG. 3B).

[0050] In step 320, a resting energy expenditure (REE) (using a fat-freemass based equation) is calculated.

[0051] In step 330, an average daily total energy expenditure (TEE)(using the Bouchard system of energy equivalents for 24-hour groupedactivities) is calculated.

[0052] In step 340, a recommended daily energy intake (RDEI) iscalculated using, for example, an equation based on REE, TEE, and therecommended rate of weight loss. RDEI can be based on factors such asresting metabolic rate, physical activity levels, and body composition.The Institute of Medicine has published a formula suitable forcalculating RDEI.

[0053]FIG. 3C illustrates sample calculated values for TEE and RDEI.

[0054] In step 350, a recommended number of food exchanges are provided.A “food exchange” is a selection of food selectable by the subject. Thefood exchanges may be provided for all food groups, and may be based onthe RDEI and nutritional guidelines for a healthy diet (e.g., based on a55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, and 15% protein macronutrient profile). Asample Food Exchange Options screen is illustrated in FIG. 3D.

[0055] In step 360, a series of prompts are provided to allow thesubject to build a menu. The menu items may be selected according to thesubject's personal likes/dislikes. The menu is built to facilitateweight loss at the prescribed rate. Menu items are selected according toprescribed serving sizes and food exchange type. Examples of foodexchanges are nonfat dairy, lean protein, vegetables, fruit, starches,and an “extra calories” menu. FIGS. 3E-3J illustrate the entry screensfor entering the subject's food exchange options and amounts. As analternative to allowing the subject to build a menu from scratch, samplemenus can be provided that the athlete/coach can adapt to meet specificneeds.

[0056] In step 370, the subject's menu is generated. A completed samplemenu is illustrated in FIG. 3K.

[0057] In step 380, queries may be received by the subject. The subjectcan submit queries to one or more qualified nutritional advisors, suchas, for example, a registered dietitian.

[0058] In step 390, informational resources are provided. The subject isallowed to access other informational web sites providing advice onnutritional guidelines. Several websites exist that provide advice towrestlers, for example, and URLs for these websites may be presented ina menu.

[0059] A method of generating a weight plan will now be discussed withreference to FIGS. 46. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the method forgenerating a weight plan. In one embodiment, the method is executed bythe system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1. Other apparatuses, however, maybe used to employ the method. The method can be used to generate theweight plans discussed above (see FIGS. 2F and 2J).

[0060] The method is discussed in the context of a subject wrestleroperating under guidelines from a governing authority, such as, forexample, the NCAA, or a state's athletic association.

[0061] A user may, however, enter data for subjects engaging in otheractivities, such as monitoring weight for general health or otherreasons. The guidelines can therefore be applicable at the collegiatelevel or at the secondary school level.

[0062] Many organizations govern athletics at various levels. At thecollegiate level, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics(NAIA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) determinethe requirements for athletes. Standards for scholastic athletes aredetermined by state and local high school athletic associations. In thisspecification, these organizations are referred to by the generic term“governing body.” More than one governing body may have jurisdictionover a subject.

[0063] In general, governing bodies require wrestlers to have their bodyfat percentage (%BF) and body weight (BW) determined before thewrestling season begins. In FIG. 4, this step is disclosed as step 410,in which subject data is entered. The data can be entered on a form suchas those illustrated in FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2H. The subject's body weightBW is preferably measured when the subject is hydrated. The bodyweight(BW) may therefore be referred to as a “hydrated body weight” or, moregenerally, a “current weight.” This step may also include the entry ofraw data such as body caliper measurements used to determine thesubject's body fat percentage (% BF). Alternatively, the subject's bodyfat percentage may be entered directly.

[0064] Body fat percentage can be provided by, for example, acommercially available service such as BodPod®. Other subject dataentered at this point can include the alpha date, urine specificgravity, subject grade or years in college, and subject name.

[0065] In step 420, the subject's body composition is determined. Thesubject's body composition can include data such as the subject's bodydensity (BD), body fat percentage (% BF), fat weight (FW), and fat freeweight (FFW). These values may be displayed on the forms illustrated inFIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2H. The steps involved in determining the subject'sbody composition are discussed in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0066] In step 430, the subject's weight plan is generated. The weightplan can include one or more weight parameters such as, for example, alowest allowable weight (lowest allowable weight-one, or “LAW 1”) atwhich a wrestler can wrestle at for a first time period T1. In moregeneral terms, LAW 1 can be a lowest recommended weight for a first timeperiod. The weight parameters can also include a lowest allowableweight-two (LAW 2). LAW 2 can be a lowest allowable weight for asubsequent or later time period T2. LAW 2 is typically used to describea minimum ending weight after a period of weeks. In addition, minimumweights for any number of intermediate time periods, such as weekly timeperiods, can be calculated. As shown in FIGS. 2F and 2J, each timeperiod in the left hand column is accompanied by a minimum weight forthat time. The minimum weights may be used to inform the subject,coaches, parents, or others, of the minimum weight that the subjectshould have at any time. Generation of a weight plan is discussed indetail below with reference to FIG. 6.

[0067] After the weight plan is generated, the subject's weight may bemonitored. In one embodiment, users, who may be wrestling coaches, arecapable of monitoring any number of subjects' compliance with prescribedgoverning body guidelines. The website arrangement described above isparticularly advantageous for monitoring the subject's compliancebecause of the detailed reports available to users. For example, eachwrestling coach in a specified region can have access to the server1010, and can monitor any of the wrestlers participating in wrestling inthat region. According to NCAA guidelines, for example, if a certainwrestler is below his/her allowable body weight for a given week, he/sheis not allowed to wrestle. A coach or other user who detects that awrestler is not operating within the prescribed guidelines can alert thegoverning authority of detected violations. In addition to andalternatively to monitoring by users, the server 1010 may contain adatabase of subject data, and the subject data can be examined todetermine whether the subject is complying with the prescribedguidelines. In this way, the system 1000 can provide automaticnotification when a subject fails to comply with prescribed guidelines.

[0068] As another advantage to using the web-based application, the dataentry and calculations used in the initial assessment can be used togenerate a weight certification form, which may be in a form acceptableto the various governing bodies. The weight certification form may besubmitted to a governing authority, such as the NCAA, or the state'sathletic association. The report establishes the wrestler's minimumallowable wrestling weight, and accordingly his/her lowest allowablewrestling class. These calculations are based on a formula supplied bythe NCAA.

[0069]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a method of determining a subject'sbody composition. The method steps illustrated in FIG. 5 correspond tostep 420 in FIG. 4.

[0070] In step 510, the subject's body density (BD) is determined. Bodydensity may be determined by a number of methods. For example, data fromskin-fold measurements may be used to calculate body density. Oneskin-fold measurement technique involves skin-fold measurements taken inthree areas of the body: triceps, subscapular and abdominal. Theskin-fold measurements can be entered as subject data in step 410 (FIG.4). The median values of each area are then summed, and used in thefollowing formula to determine BD:

BD=[1.0982−((SUM SF)*0.000815)]+[(SUM SF)²*(0.00000084)]

[0071] where SUM SF is the sum of the skin-fold median values.Alternatively, body density may be measured by known methods such ashydrostatic weighing or commercial devices such as BodPod®, as discussedabove.

[0072] In step 520, the subject's body fat percentage is calculated.Body fat percentage (% BF) can be calculated according to the followingformula:

% BF=[4.57/BD)−4.142]*100.

[0073] In step 530, the subject's fat weight (FW) is calculated. Fatweight is the weight of the fat contained in the subject's body. Fatweight may be calculated according to the following formula:

FW=BW*(% BF/100).

[0074] In step 540, the subject's fat free weight (FFW) is calculated.The fat free weight FFW represents the weight of a subject's body thatis comprised of materials other than fat, and may be calculatedaccording to the following formula:

FFW=BW−FW.

[0075]FIG. 6 illustrates a method of determining a weight plan. Thesteps illustrated in FIG. 6 correspond to step 430 in FIG. 4.

[0076] In step 610, a lowest allowable weight-one (LAW 1) is calculated.The lowest allowable weight-one is calculated according to the FFW. LAW1 can be calculated according to:

LAW1=FFW/f

[0077] In the equation for LAW 1,f is a factor that describes theminimum body fat allowed according to governing body rules. For NCAAstandards, a minimum body fat of 5% is required. For the NCAA, f is0.95, or 1.00−0.05. For other governing bodies, such as those thatregulate high school wrestlers, f can be, for example, 0.93.

[0078] In step 620, a time period (TIME) is determined. The time periodcan be described as a period of time between an initial assessment and a“deadline date,” and is usually described as a number of discrete timeperiods of weeks. The deadline date represents a deadline measurementdate. The deadline measurement date is different according to differentgoverning bodies. For example, in NCAA collegiate wrestling, thedeadline date is December 15^(th).

[0079] The time period TIME can be, for example, expressed as a numberof discrete time periods, such as weeks (“WEEKS”) between the initialassessment and deadline date. The deadline date can be any date. Thevarious state athletic associations may specify other dates.

[0080] In step 630, a lowest allowable weight-two (LAW 2) is determined.LAW 2 may be calculated according to the general formula:

LAW2=BW−(BW*c*TIME)

[0081] where c is a constant. In a more specific embodiment, and inaccordance with NCAA guidelines limiting body weight loss to 1.5% ofbody weight per week (i.e., c=0.015), the formula can be stated as:

LAW2=BW−(BW*0.015*TIME)

[0082] where TIME is in units of weeks.

[0083] In step 650, a minimum weight (MW) is determined. The MinimumWeight may be calculated according to the following formula:

MW=the higher of LAW 1 and LAW 2.

[0084] If the subject is a wrestler, the minimum weight can be describedas the subject's minimum wrestling weight (MWW), and may be calculatedby:

MWW=higher of LAW 1 and LAW 2.

[0085] The minimum wrestling weight MWW is the minimum weight that awrestler may have and still conform to governing body standards. Eachtime period during the monitoring period for a subject has its own MWW.

[0086] In step 650, minimum weight values for each of the discrete timesin the measurement period may be calculated, as are illustrated in FIGS.2F and 2J. The minimum weights can be calculated by reducing the alphaor initial body weight assessment by a percentage prescribed by agoverning body. Reducing each preceding projected minimum weight by thepercentage populates the projected weight fields in FIGS. 2F and 2J.

[0087] NWCA currently supports an Internet-based weight certificationprogram at http://www.nwcacalculator.com/certification/ for thecalculation of a safe and healthy minimal wrestling weight.

[0088] Additional advantages, features and modifications will readilyoccur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in itsbroader aspects is not limited to the specific details, andrepresentative devices, shown and described herein. Accordingly, variousmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents. As used herein and in the following claims, articlessuch as “the”, “a” and “an” can connote the singular or plural.

We claim:
 1. A method of monitoring weight, comprising: providing aplurality of data entry options, the data entry options allowing entryof data for generating an assessment of a subject, wherein the menu ofdata entry options comprises: an option for entry of an identificationof the subject; an option for entry of subject gender; an option forentry of at least one of subject academic level or age; an option forentry of subject weight; and an option for entry of data describingsubject body fat percentage; storing the assessment data on acomputer-readable medium; determining subject body fat percentage;generating a weight plan based on the subject assessment data, whereingenerating the weight plan comprises: calculating a plurality of minimumweights for the subject using a maximum allowable weight loss percentagefor a time period, each of the minimum weights being associated with atime period; and storing the weight plan on a computer-readable medium.2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining subject body fatpercentage comprises: determining subject body density; determiningsubject fat weight; and determining subject fat free weight.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: displaying subject body fat percentage;and displaying a first value of the plurality of minimum weights.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: providing a menu of report options. 5.The method of claim 1, comprising: providing a menu for access by one ormore assessors, the assessor access menu providing access for personsdesignated by a governing body.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein theassessors menu allows an assessor to generate an alpha master report ofwrestlers.
 7. The method of claim 1, comprising: providing aninstruction menu, the instruction menu including a plurality of optionsthat describe how to use the menus provided, one of the optionsincluding instructions describing skin fold measurements.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein generating a weight plan comprises: determining afirst minimum weight value using subject weight, body fat percentage,and fat weight; and iteratively decreasing the first minimum weight by aconstant factor, each successive decrease in the first minimum weightcorresponding to a successive minimum weight period for a successivetime period.
 9. The method of claim 1, comprising: providing menuoptions for a program addressed to scholastic wrestlers and for aprogram addressed to collegiate wrestlers.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein generating a weight plan comprises: receiving an input ofsubject weight; determining subject body fat percentage; calculating alowest allowable weight-one based at least in part on subject body fatpercentage; and determining a plurality of minimum weight values basedon the lowest allowable weight-one, each minimum weight value beingassociated with a time.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein calculatinga lowest allowable weight-one comprises: multiplying subject weight bythe body fat percentage to calculate the fat weight; subtracting the fatweight from the body weight to calculate free fat weight; and dividingthe free fat weight by a factor.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereindetermining the subject's body fat percentage comprises: determiningsubject hydrated weight; and determining subject body density.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the subject is allowed to lose a preselectedpercentage of his or her body weight in a discrete time period, thepreselected percentage being mandated by a governing body.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: providing a nutritional plan, whereinproviding nutritional plan comprises: determining an expected energyexpenditure for a subject based at least in part on subject predictedactivity level; determining a recommended energy intake based on theexpected energy expenditure; providing a list of food exchanges for thesubject; allowing the subject to select items from the food exchanges;and providing the nutritional plan resulting from the subject'sselections.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein determining an expectedenergy expenditure comprises: determining a resting energy expenditure.16. The method of claim 14, wherein providing a list of food exchangescomprises: providing successive menus of differing types of foods, andindicating an allowable quantity that may be selected for each type offood.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein providing successive menus ofdiffering types of foods comprises: providing an item display of dairyfood items; providing an item display of protein food items; providingan item display of vegetable food items; providing an item display offruit food items; and providing an item display of starch food items.18. The method of claim 14, wherein determining a recommended energyintake comprises: determining a recommended energy intake based at leastin part on the weight plan.
 19. A computer-readable medium comprisingindicia representing a program which when executed performs thefollowing functions: providing a plurality of data entry options, thedata entry options allowing entry of data for generating an assessmentof a subject, wherein the menu of data entry options comprises: anoption for entry of an identification of the subject; an option forentry of subject gender; an option for entry of subject academic level;an option for entry of subject weight; and an option for entry of datadescribing subject body fat percentage; storing the assessment data on acomputer-readable medium; determining subject body fat percentage;generating a weight plan based on the subject assessment data, whereingenerating the weight plan comprises: calculating a plurality of minimumweights for the subject using a maximum allowable weight loss percentagefor a time period, each of the minimum weights being associated with atime period; and storing the weight plan on a computer-readable medium.